Nowruz! A Persian new year celebration

Sunday, March 13, 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dance, play and feast your way into the Persian New Year at the Freer and Sackler Galleries. The museums’ third annual Nowruz celebration features free attractions for all ages. Back by popular demand are London-based storyteller Xanthe Gresham, performing new tales from the Shahnama (11 am, 1 pm, and 3:30 pm), and chef Najmieh Batmanglij, signing copies of her cookbook Food of Life (1-3 pm). Other activities throughout the day include Haft Sin table displays, chess and backgammon games, “fire” jumping, musical performances by the Mamak Khadem Ensemble (12 pm and 3 pm), a text-messaging scavenger hunt, contemporary Persian music from Radio Javan,  traditional Persian food for sale, and a chance to explore the exhibition Shahnama: 1000 Years of the Persian Book of Kings.

Tickets
This event is FREE; however, free tickets are required for the Mamak Khadem Ensemble. They can be reserved in advance through Ticketmaster through Thursday, March 10 or picked up at the Meyer Auditorium beginning one hour before each performance, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sackler shop
Special one-day sale of 75 percent off Persian-related art catalogues.

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